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Until the end of September there
are tours of the lighthouse organised by the Southwold
Millennium Foundation in association with the Corporation of
Trinity House, London. On Sundays or Bank Holiday Monday from 2.00pm
- 4.30pm at a cost of only £1.50 for adults and £1.00
for children or £5.00 for a family ticket
 The
Lighthouse
Southwold Lighthouse is a coastal
mark for passing shipping and guides vessels into Southwold Harbour.
The lighthouse is situated near the centre of the seaside resort
of Southwold, midway between Lowestoft and Orford, the round white
tower stands amongst rows of small houses.
Construction of Southwold Lighthouse
began in 1887 under the supervision of Sir James Douglass, Engineer
in Chief to Trinity House. The lighthouse replaced three local lighthouses
which were under threat from severe coastal erosion at Orfordness
to the South. While the masonry tower was built a temporary light
was shown from a wooden structure which was first lit on 19th February
1889.
The present lighthouse came
into operation on 3rd September 1890. The light was originally provided
by an Argand burner, this was replaced by a Matthews incandescent
oil burner in 1906.
A Hood 100mm petroleum vapour
burner was installed in 1923 and remained until the station was
electrified and demanned in 1938. Two red sectors mark shoals to
the north and the Sizewell Bank to the south, the main navigation
light is white.
A local Attendant visits the
lighthouse regularly to conduct routine maintenance.
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